Vending machine interlock mechanism



April 4, 1967 J. L. SHARPE VENDING MACHINE INTERLOCK MECHANISM 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1966 April 4, 1967 J. L. SHARPE 3,312,371

VENDING MACHINE INTERLOCK MECHANISM Filed Jan. 5. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR James L. Sharpe BY w vg a ATTORNEY United States Patent 3 312371 VENDING MACHINE INTERLOCK MECHANISM James L. Sharpe, Morris Plains,N.J., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 518,472 8Claims. (Cl. 221-125) The present invention relates to vending machinesand more particularly to an interlock mechanism for a multiple column,multiple choice vending machine.

Vending machines of the multiple choice, multiple column type having aplurality of individually operable vending mechanisms provided with aninterlock arrangement to prevent the simultaneous operation of more thanone vending mechanism are well known. An example of a vending machine ofthe multiple column type is described in the copending patentapplication of Francis A. Gasparini, Ser. No. 451,579, filed Apr. 28,1965, entitled, Vending Machine and assigned to the same assignee as thepresent application for patent. There are many types of interlockmechanisms to prevent the simultaneous operation of more than onevending mechanism or to prevent the operation of any vending mechanismwhen the machine is to remain locked as at times when a coin has notbeen deposited or the like.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improvedand simplified yet reliable interlock mechanism for a vending machine ofthe type having a plurality of individually operable vending mechanisms.

In accordance with the invention, a plurality of interlock segments arerotatably mounted in axial alignment for rotation about their axes ofalignment. The abutting ends of each segment are provided withinterlocking projections with wedging surfaces for reception of awedging member therebetween to cause respective rotation of suchabutting segments in opposite directions and consequent rotations of allaligned interlocking segments. Each vending mechanism is provided with arespective wedging member which must be moved between respective wedgingsurfaces of different respective abutting interlock segments to enablethe respective vending mechanisms to be operated. Resilient means areconnected to respective end ones of the aligned interlock segments in amanner to cause the opposing and interlocking wedging surfaces of eachinterlock segment to move towards each other and normally position therespective wedging surfaces in alignment with the respective wedgingmember of each vending mechanism but allow rotatable movement of thesegments when a wedging member is inserted between a respective pair ofinterlock segment wedge surfaces. When a Wedging member is insertedbetween a respective pair of interlock segment wedge surfaces, all ofthe interlock segments are consequently rotated so that all otherinterlock segment wedge surfaces are at that time out of alignment withtheir respective wedge members, thus preventing the insertion of anotherwedging member and the simultaneous operation of any other vendingmechanism. A locking member is positioned to normally engage and preventrotation of one interlock "ice segment thus preventing the rotation ofall interlock segments and preventing operation of any vending mechanismat a time when the vending machine is to be locked. The locking memberis movable out of engagement with the one interlock segment to permitrotation of all of the interlock segments and thus unlock the machinesuch as upon the deposit of a suitable coinage or the like.

Further objects, features and the attendant advantages of the inventionwill be apparent with reference to the following specification anddrawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view partly in section of the vendinggate mechanisms for a multiple column, multiple choice vending machineto which the interlock mechanism of the invention is applied to preventthe simultaneous operation of more than one vending gate mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a perspective elevational view of the aligned interlocksegments of the invention as shown in their normal position and lockedagainst rotation when the entire machine is to be locked;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the interlock segmentsunlocked and rotated to the positions assumed when one of the vendingmechanisms is operated and its wedge member is inserted between thewedging surfaces of a pair of abutting interlock segments;

FIG. 4 is a perspective elevational view of a single one of theinterlock segments; and

FIG. 5 is a detailed end view showing the resilient means engaging theinterlock segment at one end of the aligned row of interlock segments.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the vending gate portions of amultiple column, multiple choice manually operated vending machine areshown in some detail although they will not be described herein exceptas necessary for an understanding of the interlock arrangement of theinvention. It a detailed understanding of the functioning of the vendinggate mechanism shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings is desired, reference maybe made to the previously mentioned copending application, Ser. No.451,579. For purposes of describing the present invention it is pointedout that the vending machine includes a plurality of columns, such asthe columns 1043, each provided with a vending gate controlled byrespective vend shafts 14-17. The vending gate mechanism is movable froma locked position for vending upon rotation of a respective one of thevend shafts 14-17 first in a clockwise direction and then back in acounterclockwise direction. In order to rotate a vend shaft such as theshaft 15 for vending an article from the column 11, for example, theroller 20 must be free to move as the shaft 15 rotates first in theclockwise direction. In order to enable the roller 20 to move to theleft of the drawing for the initial clockwise movement of the vend shaft15, the member 21 must be able to pivot in a counterclockwise directionabout its pivot point 22. This will be understood when it is realizedthat the roller 20 is engaging a cam roller surface 23 of the member 21.The interlock member 21 can be moved counterclockwise only a shortdistance until its interlock segment wedge member or projection 24 mustmove down between a pair of respective interlock segment wedge surfacessuch as shown at and 26. Assuming that the vending machine is lockedbecause no coins have been deposited, the interlock segments 27 and 28will be prevented from rotating because the coin lock member 2 isengaging the interlock projections 30 of the interlocksegrnent 28. Itwill also be noted that the interlock segment 28 has an interlockprojection 31 abutting and engaging the interlock projection 32 of theinterlock segment 27 thus preventing the rotation of the interlocksegment 27 so long as the lock member 29 is in the position shown byFIG. 2 of the drawings. Similarly, all other interlock segments are thusprevented from rotation. Upon the deposit of suitable coinage, thesolenoid 33 will be energized to lift the lock lever 34 and its lockingsurface 29 out of engagement with the projection 30 for the interlocksegment 28 so as to permit the rotation of the segment 28 upon theinsertion of the wedge member 24 between the wedge surfaces 25 and 26causing consequent rotation of both of the interlock segments 27 and 28.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 of the drawings, the details of the interlocksegments of the invention will now be described. A single interlocksegment is shown in FIG. 4 and is seen to be a cylindrical member 27having the interlock projections 26 and 32 at its respective ends. Allof the interlock segments such as the segment 27 shown by FIG. 4 of thedrawings are drilled axially of their length and are freely rotatablymounted on a shaft in a position in general alignment with the pluralityof vend mechanisms. The end interlock segment 28 is provided with alocking projection 30 as previously men- 7 tioned for engagement withthe locking end 29 of the lock lever 34. A coil spring 41 is securedbetween the pin 42 of the stationary abutment 43 and the pin 44 on theinterlock projection 3% of the interlock segment 28 in a manner toconstrain the interlock segment 28 in the clockwise direction.Similarly, a coil spring 45 (FIG. 1) is affixed between a stationaryportion of the mechanism and the interlock segment 31 at the other endof the row of aligned interlock segments. The arrangement of the coilspring 45 is such as to constrain the other end interlock segment 31 tomove in the counterclockwise direction. Thus, the tensile forces of thecoil springs 41 and 45 are opposing and balanced with the interlocksegments assuming the normal positions shown by FIG. 2 of the drawingswith their respective wedging surfaces such as the wedging surfaces 25and 26, 47 and 48, or 49 and 50 inalignment with the wedging members ofthe respective vending mechanisms such as the wedging member 24 or thewedging members 51 and 52.

With the interlock segments in their normal positions shown by FIG. 2 ofthe drawings but with the locking member 29 raised out of engagementwith the interlock projection 30 to the position shown by FIG. 3 of thedrawings, a wedge member such as the wedge member 24 may be insertedbetween the wedge surfaces 25 and 26 to rotate the interlock segments 27and 28 in the counterclockwise direction against the tension of coilspring 41 and to rotate the remaining interlock segments including theinterlock segment 31 in the clockwise direction against the tension ofthe coil spring 45, to the position shown by FIG. 3 of the drawings.With the wedge member 24 inserted in the interlock segments rotated asdescribed, none of the other vending mechanism wedge surfaces such asshown at 51 and 52 may move downward into engagement with respectivewedge surfaces such as the surfaces 47, 48 or 49, 50, since these wedgesurfaces are now rotated out of alignment with the wedge members 51 and52. In such a manner the operation of more than one vending mechanism isprevented since it is impossible to rotate the associated vend shaftsufficiently far enough to complete the vending operation. Uponcompletion of the single vending operation which had moved the wedgemember 24 downward between the wedge surfaces 25 and 26, the wedgemember 24 will be withdrawn and the interlock segments will all rotateback to their normal position shown by FIG. 2 of the drawings inresponse to the constraints of the coil springs 41 and 45.

It will be noted that the number of interlock segments such as thesegments 27 and 28 and 31 is equal to the number of vending mechanismsto be interlocked plus one. It should be understood, however, that theinvention is not to be limited to such a number of interlock segmentsinasmuch as it may be desired to interlock all of the individualoperable vending mechanisms. In the case of interlocking a lesser numberof individually operable vending mechanisms than the total number ofvending mechanisms in the machine it will be obvious that a lessernumber of interlock segments may be required. Also the arrangement ofthe lock bar 29 may be revised to substitute for the wedge surface 48 ofthe interlock segment 28 so as to eliminate the necessity for the endposition interlock segment 28.

Various modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a vending machine having a plurality of vending mechanisms to beinterlocked, each individually operable to vend merchandise, theinterlock mechanism for preventing the simultaneous operation of morethan one vending mechanism comprising a plurality of interlock segments,means rotatably mounting said segments in axial alignment with eachother for rotation about their axes of alignment, the abutting ends ofeach segment in their normal positions having interlocking projectionswith wedging surfaces for reception of a wedging member therebetween tocause respective rotations of the abutting segments in oppositedirections and consequent rotation of all aligned segments, and arespective wedging member operatively associated with respective ones ofthe vending mechanisms for movement to be received between respectivewedging surfaces of adjacent interlocking projections of said interlocksegments whereby reception of any one wedging member upon operation ofany one vending mechanism will rotate all interlock projections topositions preventing the reception of the other respective wedgingmembers and hence the operation of all other vending mechanisms.

2. The vending machine interlock mechanism of claim 1 in which theplurality of interlock segments is equal to the number of vendingmechanisms plus at least one.

3. The vending machine interlock mechanism of claim 1 in which a firstresilient meansis connected to an end one of said aligned interlocksegments to constrain the segments to rotate in one direction, and asecond resilient means is connected to the other end one of said alignedinterlock segments to constrain the segments to rotate in the otherdirection whereby the resilient forces of the first and second resilientmeans are opposing and said segments are constrained to the normalposition with their respective wedging surfaces in alignment withrespective ones of said vending mechanism wedging members.

4. The vending machine interlock mechanism of claim 3 in which theplurality of interlock segments is equal to the number of vendingmechanisms plus one.

5. The vending machine interlock mechanism of claim 1 in which a lockingmember is positioned to engage one of said interlock segments to preventrotation of all of said segments to thereby prevent operation of anyvending mechanism and is movable out of engagement with the oneinterlock segment to permit rotation of all inter lock segments andoperation of any one of said vending mechanisms.

6. The vending machine interlock mechanism of claim 2 in which a lockingmember is positioned to engage one of said interlock segments to preventrotation of all of said segments to thereby prevent operation of anyvending mechanism and is movable out of engagement with the oneinterlock segment to permit rotation of all interlock segments andoperation of any one of said vending mechanisms.

7. The vending machine interlock mechanism of claim 3 in which a lockingmember is positioned to engage one of said interlock segments to preventrotation of all of said segments to thereby prevent operation of anyvending mechanism and is movable out of engagement with the oneinterlock segment to permit rotation of all interlock segments andoperation of any one of said vending mechanisms.

8. The vending machine interlock mechanism of claim 4 in which a lockingmember is positioned to engage one of said interlock segments to preventrotation of all of said segments to thereby prevent operation of anyvendthe one interlock segment to permit rotation of all interlocksegments and operation of any one of said vending mechanisms.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS I Riikonen 221152ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

ing mechanism and is movable out of engagement with 15 RAPHAEL LUPO:

1. IN A VENDING MACHINE HAVING A PLURALITY OF VENDING MECHANISMS TO BEINTERLOCKED, EACH INDIVIDUALLY OPERABLE TO VEND MERCHANDISE, THEINTERLOCK MECHANISM FOR PREVENTING THE SIMULTANEOUS OPERATION OF MORETHAN ONE VENDING MECHANISM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF INTERLOCK SEGMENTS,MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTING SAID SEGMENTS IN AXIAL ALIGNMENT WITH EACHOTHER FOR ROTATION ABOUT THEIR AXES OF ALIGNMENT, THE ABUTTING ENDS OFEACH SEGMENT IN THEIR NORMAL POSITIONS HAVING INTERLOCKING PROJECTIONSWITH WEDGING SURFACES FOR RECEPTION OF A WEDGING MEMBER THEREBETWEEN TOCAUSE RESPECTIVE ROTATIONS OF THE ABUTTING SEGMENTS IN OPPOSITEDIRECTIONS AND CONSEQUENT ROTATION OF ALL ALIGNED SEGMENTS, AND ARESPECTIVE WEDGING MEMBER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH RESPECTIVE ONES OFTHE VENDING MECHANISMS FOR MOVEMENT TO BE RECEIVED BETWEEN RESPECTIVEWEDGING SURFACES OF ADJACENT INTERLOCKING PROJECTIONS OF SAID INTERLOCKSEGMENTS WHEREBY RECEPTION OF ANY ONE WEDGING MEMBER UPON OPERATION OFANY ONE VENDING MECHANISM WILL ROTATE ALL INTERLOCK PROJECTIONS TOPOSITIONS PREVENTING THE RECEPTION OF THE OTHER RESPECTIVE WEDGINGMEMBERS AND HENCE THE OPERATION OF ALL OTHER VENDING MECHANISMS.